For the first time in over 50 years, Republicans now outnumber Democrats in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, signaling a dramatic political shift in a region long dominated by Democrats.
For the first time since 1970, Republicans now account for the majority of registered voters in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, marking a significant political shift in a once reliably Democratic stronghold. According to Department of State data released Monday, Republicans hold a narrow lead of 83 voter registrations, with 87,415 registered Republicans compared to 87,332 Democrats. The county also has 22,414 unaffiliated voters and 6,160 voters registered with third parties.
Luzerne County, historically known for its anthracite coal industry and proximity to President Joe Biden’s hometown of Scranton, has seen a sharp political realignment in recent years. While Biden lost the county to former President Donald Trump by eight percentage points in 2020, the shift in voter registration reflects broader trends initiated under Trump’s leadership. Once a Democratic stronghold, Luzerne County’s transformation began in 2014, when the party’s voter registration advantage started eroding, falling from a lead of 47,322 in that year’s primary election to this recent reversal.
The Republican flip in Luzerne County underscores the effectiveness of grassroots efforts like Pennsylvania Chase and signals a continued realignment in traditionally working-class, Democratic-leaning areas across the state. As the 2024 election approaches, both parties will be eyeing counties like Luzerne, where changing voter demographics could have outsized impacts on statewide and national races.
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